Multi-Physics Simulations of a 1.2 kV Embedded SiC Prepackage

Embedding represents a game-changing packaging strategy for wide-bandgap semiconductors, slashing parasitic impedances to enable faster, cleaner switching, lower losses, and higher frequencies. Yet questions about reliability, scalability, and heat management persist. Here, we use multiphysics finite-element simulations to explore an embedded half-bridge of two 1.2 kV SiC MOSFETs across a range of commercial insulated substrates - alumina, Si <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$_{3}$</tex-math></inline-formula> N<inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$_{4}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, AlN, and IMS with varying layer thicknesses. A Pareto-based thermomechanical optimization pinpoints aluminum nitride as the best configuration, delivering 0.27K/W thermal resistance, 0.2 % plastic strain, and 1.9 % creep strain during sintering. Creep concentrates in the silver sinter layer, matching experimental observations, underscoring the need to address time-dependent deformation in reliability assessments. A major improvement is achieved by redesigning the top copper interconnect from a solid block to a pillar like geometry, which reduces creep strain in the sintered layer by four times. We also identify a critical sintering cool-down rate above which creep vanishes and only plastic strain remains providing a new lever for process control. Finally, we demonstrate scalability by paralleling four optimized prepackages into a power module with just 3 nH of stray inductance, ready for high-frequency, high-efficiency conversion.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics
Published
2025-01-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1109/ojpel.2025.3628056
Primary Topic
Silicon Carbide Semiconductor Technologies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Multi-Physics Simulations of a 1.2 kV Embedded SiC Prepackage

Till Huesgen, Klaus Neumaier, Giovanni A. Salvatore, Ankit Sharma et al.
IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics
Silicon Carbide Semiconductor Technologies
article

Multi-Physics Simulations of a 1.2 kV Embedded SiC Prepackage

Till Huesgen, Klaus Neumaier, Giovanni A. Salvatore, Ankit Sharma, Andrea Irace, Saimir Frroku, Pierfrancesco Fadini
article en

Abstract

Embedding represents a game-changing packaging strategy for wide-bandgap semiconductors, slashing parasitic impedances to enable faster, cleaner switching, lower losses, and higher frequencies. Yet questions about reliability, scalability, and heat management persist. Here, we use multiphysics finite-element simulations to explore an embedded half-bridge of two 1.2 kV SiC MOSFETs across a range of commercial insulated substrates - alumina, Si <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$_{3}$</tex-math></inline-formula> N<inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$_{4}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, AlN, and IMS with varying layer thicknesses. A Pareto-based thermomechanical optimization pinpoints aluminum nitride as the best configuration, delivering 0.27K/W thermal resistance, 0.2 % plastic strain, and 1.9 % creep strain during sintering. Creep concentrates in the silver sinter layer, matching experimental observations, underscoring the need to address time-dependent deformation in reliability assessments. A major improvement is achieved by redesigning the top copper interconnect from a solid block to a pillar like geometry, which reduces creep strain in the sintered layer by four times. We also identify a critical sintering cool-down rate above which creep vanishes and only plastic strain remains providing a new lever for process control. Finally, we demonstrate scalability by paralleling four optimized prepackages into a power module with just 3 nH of stray inductance, ready for high-frequency, high-efficiency conversion.

IEEE Open Journal of Power ElectronicsVol. 6
ON Semiconductor (United States) (US), Ca' Foscari University of Venice (IT), Kempten University of Applied Sciences (DE), Federico II University Hospital (IT), University of Naples Federico II (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 68%
Silicon Carbide Semiconductor Technologies
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.